Section 1 -Key terminology (A01)

*For the application 16-mark questions- have 4 key psychological terminology and the final 2 points you specifically talk about the scenario in the STEM using specific examples from the STEM)

Explain and define the theory/research/topic

(Try to aim for at least 6 key psychological terminology)

e.g.

-Learning

-Environment

-Empiricism

-Pavlov

Skinner

If you are outlining a research study:

Aim

Procedures (at least 3 procedures)

Findings (at least 2 clear findings)

Section 2 – PEEL Paragraph 1  (A03)

Point- One consideration is/one strength is/one weakness is…..

Explain- Explain the point you made in more detail

Evidence/Example- What Psychological evidence do you have? Remember, you can also use other Psychological theories/approaches/Research findings as evidence. You need to explain how it relates to the topic (what specific ways does the evidence support or undermine the topic the essay is about.

Link- Now look back at the essay question and explain how it either contributes to our knowledge of this area by either increasing the validity or the reliability and why/why not it is or isn’t beneficial to understanding human behaviour.

Counter argument- If your paragraph is positive then what could you add that we need to consider? Is it the methods that was use, did they forget about individual differences etc? This only needs to be a few sentences and add how it either reduces or increases our understanding of that particular behaviour.

Section 3 –  PEEL Paragraph 2  (A03)

Point- One consideration is/one strength is/one weakness is…..

Explain- Explain the point you made in more detail

Evidence/Example- What Psychological evidence do you have? Remember, you can also use other Psychological theories/approaches/Research findings as evidence. You need to explain how it relates to the topic (what specific ways does the evidence support or undermine the topic the essay is about.

Link- Now look back at the essay question and explain how it either contributes to our knowledge of this area by either increasing the validity or the reliability and why/why not it is or isn’t beneficial to understanding human behaviour.

Counter argument- If your paragraph is positive then what could you add that we need to consider? Is it the methods that was use, did they forget about individual differences etc? This only needs to be a few sentences and add how it either reduces or increases our understanding of that particular behaviour.

Section 4- (Bonus Paragraph)  A/A* grades

Include this paragraph only if you have the time

 Practical Applications to real life - How could we improve this theory/research to make it increasingly valid and more applicable for more people? what do we now need to be aware of? How can we make things better etc….

How to discuss/Evaluate research studies?

How to discuss/Evaluate Theories?

M-The actual research methods that they used to conduct the study. What were the strengths of the method they used? What were the weaknesses of the methods they used? How does it affect the validity or reliability of the research? Is it scientifically credible? What can be done to improve the research?

G-Does the research have any kind of gender bias? What type did it have? What are the implications of this type of bias?

C-Is the research culturally biased? How so? What could they do to improve it? What are the implications?

Think -Mice Go Cold

Gender Considerations- is the theory based on research carried out on an unrepresentative sample?

Reductionism vs Holism debate- does the theory/approach attempts to explain phenomena in terms of basic elements?

Ethnocentrism- is the theory based on research carried out in one particular type of culture (i.e. individualistic culture)?

Nature vs Nurture consideration-  Does the theory/approach explain phenomena in terms of nature i.e. genetics  neglecting other factors i.e. social factors?

Approach consideration- Is the theory based on one approach (biological, behavioural, cognitive, psychodynamic). How can it compare or contrast to other approaches? How are they similar or different? What is the problem with focuses on just one approach when dealing with human behaviour?

Determinism vs Free will-  Does the theory/approach acknowledge a sense of individual free-will or does it  argue that our behaviour is determined  by a particular set of factors? What are the strengths/weaknesses of doing this?

Ethics- Does the theory/approach propose/research issues which could be socially controversial/sensitive ? (i.e. correlation between race and IQ). What will the implications be?

Scientific Method- Is the theory based on evidence which is objective/ valid/ reliable? Does it take the idiographic/nomothetic approach?

Practical applications to society- Is the theory helpful in any way? Can we make drug treatments/hold interventions or practically support human beings in the issues they may be having?

Individual Differences- Remember, there can never be a theory that is able to explain ALL human behaviour. Even though we are all human, we all have differences that make us who we are. Is it fair to try and place people in a box? What will be the problem if we do not account for the unique differences within us?

Think- GRENADES PI